Job Responsibilities
Writing research memoranda, conduct and write interview
memorandum, write pleadings (complaints, motions, etc.), document
review.
|
Uppers
You cannot find a better starting salary: $125,000. The people are smart and
funny and engaging and although particular tasks may be dull, you are constantly
learning new things and thus experiencing brain growth; this is something I never
experienced in any other job.
I feel valued and like a true member of a team when I work on cases. My
intelligence is assumed.
My work actually has the ability to change people's lives for the better. I can
use my job skills in political arenas outside the office and this galvanizes me.
|
Downers
The time commitment is really difficult. There are days on end
when all i want to do when i get home is watch TiVo, eat an
entire pizza, and then crawl into bed. It can be draining, the
travel taxing, and sometimes it is totally thankless.
I experience constant low level stress. Although i love that
people assume my intelligence, it also means that there is not a
great deal of room to make mistakes. I feel like a mistake that
might be normal anywhere else could be career compromising here.
|
Lifestyle
I work, on average, about 60 hours a week. I work in a fantastic office with
great people who are fun to be around, but don't try top make their work life a
social life.
We have summer associates during the summer which gives great opportunities to
do interesting things and have a wonderful dinner at least once a week for two
months.
The dress code in my office is business casual, stress on the casual.
I feel like my career is very open minded. I feel comfortable being an out,
black woman.
Unfortunately, there is a lot of old boys network issues in this profession. I
am usually the only woman in the room and ALWAYS the only black person in the
room. As a result, i've heard a lot about sports. Macho still prevails. But it
is changing.
|
Compensation
All first year associates make $125,000 a year. They may also
get a bonus if they bill 2000; that bonus depends on how well the
firm does that year. Most law firms in NYC do not have a
structure like this; however, you earn your money because every
cent is wrung out of any personal or interior life that you may
have.
Every year for the first three years you receive a $10,000 raise;
the 4th year, it is a $15,000 raise, and so on. It is quite
generous.
My firm has a wonderful 401K plan as well.
|
Advice to Jobseekers
Do not work for a law firm that does not reflect who and what you
truly want to be doing. This work is demanding, taxing, tiring
and stressful. It is nearly impossible to be in this environment
if you aren't working with people who are supportive, or who do
not respect your boundaries as a person with a life and a mind of
your own.
You will not last if you only function as a drone and not as a
complete person. Most firms hope that you will be part of the
cookie cutter batch. That works for some. Others see themselves
as individuals and do not want to lose themselves in the paper.
There are firms that will also accomodate that.
Your job isn't your life. Know that. Be true to that. More
people who come to this occupation with that sense of a full self
will continue to transform the law.
I believe that the Law has always been one of the most fluid
occupations; perhaps that is because in some respects, it is a
fundamental thing that belongs to us all, despite its elitist
roots.
Do not be discouraged by homogenity. Or, if you never noticed it
before, understand that homogenity is cracking. I think the
outlook for law is changing: it is becoming lighter, swifter and
more interesting. it is a great profession to be a part of.
|
|
